The Effects of Maximal and Supramaximal Accentuated Eccentric Loading on the Barbell Bench Press

Michalak, MM, Suchomel, TJ, Greer, BK, Long, SA, and Taber, CB. The effects of maximal and supramaximal accentuated eccentric loading on the barbell bench press. J Strength Cond Res 39(10): 1028-1033, 2025-The effects of accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) were examined on barbell bench press mean and peak performance metrics across various concentric and eccentric loads. Eighteen strength-trained men (age: 23.8 ± 4.0 years; height: 180.2 ± 5.7 cm; body mass: 95.8 ± 6.6 kg, training age: 2 ± 14 years, bench press 1 repetition maximum (1RM): 120.7 ± 17.0 kg, relative strength ratio: 1.27 ± 0.17 kg·kg -1 ) participated. Subjects completed repetitions using concentric loads ranging from 40 to 80% 1RM in 10% increments during each experimental session. The AEL protocols used 100% (AEL100) or 110% (AEL110) of concentric 1RM during the eccentric action, and the eccentric load remained the same as the concentric load during the traditional loading session. An analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to analyze the effects of loading condition and concentric load (3 × 5) on concentric power, force, velocity, and eccentric repetition duration. Greater concentric force outputs were observed at 60-80% loads compared with 40% ( p < 0.05). In addition, 40% loading elicited greater concentric velocities compared with the 60-80% loads ( p < 0.05). The magnitude of the concentric load showed a greater change in performance metrics than the loading condition, alluding to AEL protocols having too great an effect on movement mechanics to result in consistent performance enhancements. Thus, it seems the efficacy of AEL at various concentric loads depends on the magnitude of eccentric loading and the relative strength index of subjects.